Newcomer...

[alternatve]

Optimal is very subjective lor. It's not optimal to use CZ lenses for Canon SLR as well (via CY mount adapter), but lots of people are happily using them anyway.

Alternative, don't worry about this optimal thing. You can still take good picture with the jupitar lens, and more importantly, you can learn about exposure using it too. Jupitar lenses are pretty sharp too, so no worries.

For reading interest: Jupiter 8 vs Elmer 50/3.5

I was planning to buy a few more russian lenses with LTM actually, since they are so cheap. I guess cheap does come out dearer in the end eh?

 

[lrrp77]

Wow! Guys, like alternative, I am also new & have an interest in classic cameras... but unfortunately I am not as young as them

But I have been following closely to this folder for quite some time but did not came in over the weekend, so am delighted to see this discussion... thanks alternative for bringing this topic up because I too had thought of picking up RF. But am still doing research.

 

[bahibo]

Alternatve please do not worry , please join our outing and i will let u try it, for now, u can look at my photo and see there is no prob. Some prob u may encounter due to the age of the lens or the design, the age i dont talk about, the design take jupiter 12 for example, it can't put in bessa R cause the lens part is too long cant fit the inner of the body. Foldable lens also not fit the bessa R because it quite small i mean slim for those.

Well cheap mean good or not depend on u , for those lens, u have to check carefully, see got oil, the focus got stuck or hard to move , fungus, optic quality . For fungus, most of these old lens will have for the cheap price, question is how bad, u should as the seller for at least 2 weeks warranty with refund and try 1 or 2 roll with it ,see the image quality got problem or not ,the handling, etc.

We can meet up this week if i'm free, i will show u how to use,the lens, i also bring my old SLR for u to try out. Ofcourse The offer i pm u still have.

 

[alternatve]

Wow! Guys, like alternative, I am also new & have an interest in classic cameras... but unfortunately I am not as young as them

But I have been following closely to this folder for quite some time but did not came in over the weekend, so am delighted to see this discussion... thanks alternative for bringing this topic up because I too had thought of picking up RF. But am still doing research.

Hey, no problem, we both can learn together, no need to be shy. I have learnt a LOT from the kind members here. When you are getting your new RF, no need to splurge on a Leica. (At least, not yet.) A bessa would be good enough for newbies like us. This is not advertisement for anyone, but you can go to this website to check out the cameras. www.chiifcameras.com Take note, I don't earn any commission from this.

 

[alternatve]

By the way, what are the difference between the 35 - 40 - 50MM lens? This does not count in brand. Thanks.

 

[The_Cheat]

By the way, what are the difference between the 35 - 40 - 50MM lens? This does not count in brand. Thanks.

Those are referred to as focal length. 50mm is what some would consider as "standard" lens, which resembles the field of view (more or less) when you close one of your eyes. 28mm is the field of view (more or less) when you see with both your eyes. So a lens with a smaller focal length would give you a wider field of view, and one with a higher focal length would give you a smaller field of view. A higher focal length lens crop the field so that objects that are further away seems to be magnified. This is equivalent when your eyes try to "zoom in" to see a particular object a distance away.

How important is focal length? It depends on your preference and shooting style. Some swears by shorter lenses, since they go by hyperfocusing (ask those who use the Oly XA how often they shoot anything less than focusing to infinity, or if they even bother to check the viewfinder to see whether things are in focus). Some prefer to use longer focal length, like 80mm or 100mm, and use them for a cropped image, which they feel is important in portraiture. But then, a lens is just a lens. What you do with it is absolutely up to you!

Focal length images changes with the size of the film as well. Can confuse you further if you ever wish to delve into MF or LF!

 

[bahibo]

Wider , smaller focal length mean the lens is wider . Since the focal length of 35,40,50 is quite near,there wont be much different but for wide angle lens, few mm can mean a lot , for example 14-10mm or what soever.

In old time, 50mm is a standard lens and usually use by street photographer , for now ,it is 28mm or 35mm.


See the pics below.

50mm

40mm

35mm

Just to compare, taken by DSLR .

 

[alternatve]

Hmm, the 50mm is quite close up. So this three focal lengths are up to your preference eh? Except the other sizes which are macro or wide angle?

 

[bahibo]

Macro refer to how close the lens can focus , for RF they can not focus as close as DSLR ( just keep this in mind, i explain will confuse more) The 50mm not so close up,just because use on DSLR it produce image like 50mmx1.6 lah. I take those 3 pic just 4 u to compare between those 3 not to see how wide the lens since in film, the field of view is wider, u can see like this, in DSLR the 50mm produce like that, in film ,the 50mm will have the field of view like the 35mm have taken ,get it ?

 

[The_Cheat]

Hmm, the 50mm is quite close up. So this three focal lengths are up to your preference eh? Except the other sizes which are macro or wide angle?

50mm quite close up? then move a bit further to get a wider field of view.
Using different focal length is all about preferences. To some, 50mm is the standard lens; to others the standard lens may be 80mm or 35mm.

But frankly, don't be that concern about focal length. It can get very confusing when you try to mix the focal length with focusing, aperture size of the lens and the depth of view generated. Also, the same image captured with a long focal length and with a short focal length (moving closer to the subject) is also quite different too.

Advice is, get a feel of what the different focal length is like. The easiest way to have an idea of that is with a zoom lens on a SLR. See which one field of view you're most comfortable with.

 

[alternatve]

I see. Thanks for the information. I guess I'll stick to the 50mm, since I don't exactly have the money to spend around. GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is a deadly virus around here though. Starting to get tempted by the Red side now...

 

[The_Cheat]

I see. Thanks for the information. I guess I'll stick to the 50mm, since I don't exactly have the money to spend around. GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is a deadly virus around here though. Starting to get tempted by the Red side now...

Red side? :dunno:

Getting more gears represent our hope in search of that one magic bullet. A magic bullet that really doesn't exist. Pass a lousy P&S to an experienced photographer, and he'll very likely produce much better picture than someone who is new in photographer holding onto some hyper-expensive gears.

It takes quite a bit to realise the real need for your photography journey and discipline to NOT be affected by this GAS. For me, even though the cameras I use are system cameras, I only has one lens per body. I'd forced myself to justify first for the need, before I will even look for another lens. So far, because of the things that I take, I just don't need to go beyond the lenses I have. The price of CZ lenses and the rarity of LF lenses in general is another big factor for not being tempted. Err... anyone letting go 150 APO Symmar?

 

[alternatve]

Red side? :dunno:

Getting more gears represent our hope in search of that one magic bullet. A magic bullet that really doesn't exist. Pass a lousy P&S to an experienced photographer, and he'll very likely produce much better picture than someone who is new in photographer holding onto some hyper-expensive gears.

It takes quite a bit to realise the real need for your photography journey and discipline to NOT be affected by this GAS. For me, even though the cameras I use are system cameras, I only has one lens per body. I'd forced myself to justify first for the need, before I will even look for another lens. So far, because of the things that I take, I just don't need to go beyond the lenses I have. The price of CZ lenses and the rarity of LF lenses in general is another big factor for not being tempted. Err... anyone letting go 150 APO Symmar?

The red side = Russian, not the red dot. I am saying this tongue in cheek as I agree with what you said and am going to make an serious effort to stop overbuying in a hobby that costs three digits and more. Ah, but it's hard to keep your hands reaching for your wallet when you see something you like. Temptation, temptation...

 

[stnicholas81]

Pass a lousy P&S to an experienced photographer, and he'll very likely produce much better picture than someone who is new in photographer holding onto some hyper-expensive gears.

I totally agree with the above sentence. Seriously, pick up some books from the library to get yourself familiar with the techniques and basics, starting off on the right foot is the correct way to go. Haha, just to share some tips, i'm quite a bad photographer actually.

Most of the time, most people are too caught up in the equipment chase to miss the point that its not in the equipment, rather the photograher. Which is why i like to shoot film, makes you think before you press the shutter knowing that you are pressing $$$ away. Other than that i really enjoyed shooting with my K800i.

Mixture of Yahsica's and R3M pics here.

 

[bahibo]

control urself, write down a list of what u tempting to buy, write the cost, ur present money , ur present equipment, ask urself u really need it try to control lah otherwise when u go outing with us, i ask my friend let u use the M6 for a few frame then u ......... he he he.

Equipment is like shoes , it have to fit u , equipment is like pen ,some easier to use,some produce better colour, but see it comfort in ur hand or not , equipment is like ur love , keep it close to ur heart ,use it,feel it,touch it,proud of it, grow with it, use it create ur own world and show other people,feel pain when u want to let it go , keep those things in mind u can find ur idea cam one day and stick with it for ur whole life even got tempting camera around. Finally when u want to update, as urself, does the cam dont fit u or u didn't try hard to know the cam.

 

[CZJena]

The red side = Russian, not the red dot. I am saying this tongue in cheek as I agree with what you said and am going to make an serious effort to stop overbuying in a hobby that costs three digits and more. Ah, but it's hard to keep your hands reaching for your wallet when you see something you like. Temptation, temptation...

Bravesoul, honestly you will never regret in years to come to follow this rule:
"Spend in proportion of 10 times on film (image making) to improve phototaking, and spend 1 times on gears"
You will find more joy in this art-making and discovery applying this rule.

 

[alternatve]

stnicholas81, don't say that you are a poor photographer, that picture is cool...

To my two teachers, your student understand and will keep his hands away from anything that is purely a want. =)

 

[The_Cheat]

I am saying this tongue in cheek as I agree with what you said and am going to make an serious effort to stop overbuying in a hobby that costs three digits and more.

You'll soon be spending over three digits on film, development and scanning or printing. Then you'll be thinking of spend over three digits again to cut cost on these processes, be it either developing the film or doing the scanning yourself.

These costs would probably be of higher priority than getting another lens that is supposed to give you greater contrast and sharper images. There's really no point in shooting a lot only to sit on undeveloped films, waiting for them to be translated into images...

 

[alternatve]

Hmm, yea. Thus my search for cheap (not cheapskate) film and burning my pictures into a CD. Most outlets go through the digital process before printing, so I might as well get it in a CD. Cheaper as well.

 

[bahibo]

There is always the price to pay, for film u have to endure the developing and printing (or scanning) U can cut cost by develope bulk film. buying good cam at the beginning can cut u some cost in upgrading. For film shoot slowly,u dont waste too much i think, for me i shoot to much that cant endure so using DSLR when i want to shoot heavy.